Manipulation game

ABSTRACT

A manipulation game is provided, including a base having a substantially vertical support and a substantially horizontal support rotatably coupled to the vertical support. In some embodiments, the horizontal support includes receiving members. A plurality of objects may be adapted to be coupled to the receiving members. The game may further include cards having manipulation indicia configured to indicate movement of the objects relative to the receiving members.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/687,377 entitled “MANIPULATION GAME,” filed Jun. 3, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Object manipulation games can provide entertainment for players while improving coordination and teaching cause-and-effect relationships. Examples of manipulation games are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 455,431, 1,571,202, 1,551,685, 1,595,801, 2,107,672, 2,408,141, 2,509,785, 2,557,789, 2,598,487, 2,720,724, 2,747,872, 2,756,054, 3,214,863, 3,402,929, 3,550,316, 3,559,989, 3,589,723, 3,589,724, 3,614,106, 3,649,024, 3,685,825, 3,864,872, 4,032,144, 4,043,554, 4,055,341, 4,272,075, 4,358,110, 4,432,544, 4,603,860, 4,744,563, 4,932,655, 5,050,876, 5,181,727, 5,335,911, 5,609,340, 5,609,341, 5,678,823, 6,332,615, 6,773,016, 6,789,798; U.S. Patent Application Publications 2001/0048194, 2002/0164918, 2005/0059317; and UK Patent Application No. 2,048,084, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to a game in which players manipulate an object. More specifically, it relates to games in which players manipulate a first object or device to move a second object from one position to another.

The game of the present disclosure will be understood more readily after a consideration of the drawings and the Detailed Description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary manipulation game including a base, a substantially vertical support, and a scale assembly including a substantially horizontal support and receiving members.

FIG. 2 is an example of a scale assembly suitable for the game of FIG. 1, including a movable counter weight.

FIG. 3 is an example of a scale assembly suitable for the game of FIG. 1, including a timer.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary manipulation game including a base, a vertical support, and a lifting assembly.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary manipulation game including a base, a vertical support, a scale assembly, and a lifting assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides rules and apparatus for playing various manipulation games in which players manipulate a first object to move a second object from one position to another. The manipulation game, indicated generally at 10 in FIG. 1, may include components that may be interchangeable or configured to combine in various ways to provide more play options.

Game 10 may require players to manipulate a set of objects 100. Objects 100 may be included as components of game 10. For example, objects 100 may be provided with and relate to the theme of the game. In the exemplary nautical themed game of FIG. 1, objects 100 may represent sharks or small fish. The objects may represent animals, people, places, vehicles, and the like by their shape, indicia, or a combination thereof. Alternatively, objects 100 may be household items, such as pennies, marbles, toys, and the like. The objects may be selected for their appearance, their relative weights, or a combination thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, game 10 may include a manipulation structure 12 and cards 14 that instruct a player based on manipulation indicia 16. For example, indicia 16 may instruct a player regarding the manipulation of one or more of objects 100. The instructions may be communicated through graphic representations, words, or a combination thereof. It should be appreciated that game 10 may alternatively or additionally include one or more dice, spinners, or other random indicia generators configured to provide game play instructions. In some versions of the game, players may randomly select objects, such as from a grab bag, and decide for themselves how to manipulate the objects to achieve a desired result.

Manipulation structure 12 may include a base 18 and a substantially vertical support 20. The vertical support may be configured to support a variety of game assemblies. For example, a variety of interchangeable manipulation structures may be provided to assist a user with learning a variety of skills, such as hand-eye coordination, color and shape identification, and understanding cause-and-effect relationships.

As shown in FIG. 1, manipulation structure 12 may include a scale assembly 22. Scale assembly 22 may include a substantially horizontal support 24 that rotatably couples the scale assembly to the vertical support, such as at a joint 26. The joint may allow the horizontal support to pivot relative to the vertical support, such as by a pin or screw.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, base 18 takes the form of a ship with vertical support 20 resembling a mast and horizontal support 24 resembling the boom of a sail. In keeping with the nautical theme, objects 100 may take the form of sharks, small fish, or other marine life. However, the game can incorporate a variety of other themes, such as a barn and silo with objects in the form of animals or agricultural products, or an airplane wing with objects in the form of birds, and the like.

Horizontal support 24 may include fasteners 28 that may couple other game components to the horizontal support. For example, in the game shown in FIG. 1, fasteners 28 include magnets 30 configured to couple receiving members 32 to the horizontal support. Receiving members 32 can provide structure with which to couple objects 100 to the scale assembly. For example, the receiving members may include hooks 34 on which one or more objects may be hung. The receiving members may include buckets 36, or other containers, suspended from the horizontal support directly or indirectly, such as by hooks 34.

To accomplish various game objectives, objects 100 may be placed in bucket 36, coupled directly to hooks 34 or magnets 30, or coupled to scale assembly 30 using other suitable fasteners 28 depending on the particular configuration of the fasteners and objects. For example, fasteners 28 may include tapes, glues, snaps, hook-and-loop closure material, and the like.

One version of the manipulation game requires players to manipulate various sets of weights. In such a game, objects 100 may include a variety of different weights, the amount of which may or may not be communicated to a player to vary the complexity of the game. Players may apply objects 100 to the scale assembly as instructed by indicia 16 on cards 14 to complete a particular task. For example, players may earn points by applying weights to place another object in balance or to move an object to a particular location with respect to vertical. The game provides participants with an opportunity to learn cause-and-effect relationships and practice foresighted thinking as they attempt to manipulate the scale assembly to their advantage.

Objects 100 may include primary weights 102, against which players apply other weights. Primary weights 102 may be suspended from hooks 34 on one end of horizontal support 24, as shown by the sharks in FIG. 2. The small fish, hereinafter referred to as secondary weights 104, may be used to add weight to the opposing end of the horizontal support. For example, the secondary weights may be placed in bucket 36.

Secondary weights 104 may be used to balance primary weights 102 so that horizontal support 24 maintains a substantially horizontal orientation. Secondary weights may be used to move the primary weights, or bucket 36 to a specified location. In the exemplary configuration of FIG. 2, a player may earn points by applying secondary weights 102 so that the total weight in bucket 36 exceeds the weight of primary weights 102 enough to move the bucket downward to touch a support surface 200 on which the game has been placed.

As previously noted, fasteners 28 may include magnets 30 that couple the fastener to the horizontal support. The magnets may be included to provide additional fun for players during assembly of the game. In some configurations, the magnets may be incorporated into game play. For example, a player may apply secondary weights 104 to bucket 36 until the weight of the bucket exceeds the attraction of magnets 30, uncouples form the horizontal support, and the bucket falls onto support surface 200.

An additional object 100 may be provided to counteract the weight of the primary or secondary weights. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a counter weight 106 may be placed on horizontal support 24 to increase the complexity of the game by further manipulating the orientation of the horizontal support. Horizontal support 24 may include apertures 38 for coupling objects, such as counter weight 106. The counter weight may include a post 108 to couple the counter weight to the horizontal support by inserting the post into one of apertures 38. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a series of apertures may be spaced along the horizontal support so that the counter weight is couplable to the horizontal support at multiple points along the horizontal support. Cards 14 may instruct a player as to which of the apertures 38 the counter weight is to be placed.

As shown in FIG. 2, counter weight 106 may take the form of a seagull that is mounted on horizontal support 24 using any suitable method, such as the above-described post configuration. Alternatively, or additionally, the counter weight may be coupled to the support using any suitable fastener, such as tapes, glues, snaps, hook-and-loop closure material, magnets, and the like. Consequently, the counter weight may be incrementally moved along the support closer to, or further away from, the ends supporting the primary and secondary weights.

A timer 40 may be included in game 10. For example a movable or talking timer representing a seagull may be mounted on the mast to keep track of time remaining for the game, a round of game play, or for a player to perform a particular action. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the seagull may be biased to a particular position, such as from a raised position to a lowered position close to the mast. The time it takes for the seagull to move to a particular position may limit the time the players have to complete a predetermined task.

FIG. 3 further illustrates a game configuration in which receiving members 32 on both ends of the horizontal support include buckets 36. The buckets may be permanently coupled to the horizontal support. The buckets may be configured to receive primary weights 102, secondary weights 104, or a combination thereof.

As previously noted with respect to FIG. 1, cards 14 may include indicia 16 that direct players to take certain actions regarding the plurality of objects 100. For example, indicia 16 may refer to a quantity of secondary weights and/or whether the weights are to be added to bucket 36 or removed from it. To increase the complexity of the game, the indicia may specify additional characteristics of the weights, such as specifying weights of a particular size or color. The indicia may be in the form of images, text, and/or other markings, each of which may be distinguishable from other indicia.

In the exemplary configuration shown in FIG. 1, the right-most manipulation indicia 16 illustrates bucket 36 being overturned. If a player draws this card, the player is directed to empty secondary weights 104 from bucket 36. The cards may direct the action of the counter weight, such as the seagull shown in FIG. 2. For example, a card may direct a player to move the counter weight along horizontal support 24 either towards the primary weight or away from it. The cards may provide instructions regarding the addition or subtraction of a particular quantity and/or color of weights from either receiving member.

A winner of the exemplary game may be determined from the quantity of primary or secondary weights used in achieving a particular task or from point values associated with the weights or task. For example, a player may be determined the winner based on which player is the first to maintain the balance of a predetermined number of primary weights, or the player with the highest point value for the values assigned to each primary weight successfully manipulated.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary manipulation structure including a base 18, a substantially vertical support 20, and a lifting or crane assembly 42. In some versions of the game, the base of FIG. 1 may be used by replacing scale assembly 22 with lifting assembly 42. Lifting assembly 42 may be manipulated by a player to move various objects from one location to another.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, lifting assembly 42 includes a substantially horizontal support 44 that supports a lifting member or crane 46. Lifting member 46 may be operated by control cables 48 to move objects 100. In the depicted example, players move balls from one receptacle to another. Points may be earned based on the quantity of objects successfully moved, such as within a predetermined time. A timer 40, such as an hourglass timer, may be included so that players must work quickly to move the objects. Points may also be earned based on the particular objects moved as some objects may be more difficult than others to manipulate and/or move.

Aspects of the weight game and the movement game may be combined to vary the complexity of game 10. In the exemplary configuration shown in FIG. 5, scale assembly 22 and lifting assembly 42 may be used simultaneously. In such a configuration, cards 14 may instruct a player as to which objects should be moved to which locations. For example, cards 14 may provide a player with a sorting algorithm that instructs the player to place a subset of objects 100 into bucket 36 to balance or move one or more of primary weights 102. The lifting assembly may therefore be used to move objects 100 relative to the scale assembly. For example, cards 14 may instruct a player to use the lifting assembly to place all objects of a certain color on one end of the scale assembly while simultaneously adjusting objects coupled to the opposing end of the scale to maintain the balance of the scale assembly or move one end to a specified location.

The games of the present disclosure may be based wholly or in part on characters, events, locations portrayed in a particular popular culture phenomenon, i.e. in a book, comic book, movie, TV show, or the like. The game may take a variety of other themes, including, but not limited to, aquatic, jungle, fairytale, and the like.

Although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing operational principles and preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances. The subject matter of the present invention includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through presentation of claims in a subsequent application. 

1. A manipulation game comprising: a base having a substantially vertical support; a substantially horizontal support rotatably coupled to the vertical support, wherein the horizontal support includes receiving members; a plurality of objects adapted to be coupled to the receiving members; and multiple cards having manipulation indicia configured to indicate movement of the objects relative to the receiving members.
 2. The game of claim 1, wherein the receiving members are disposed on the horizontal support on opposing sides of the rotatable coupling.
 3. The game of claim 1, wherein the plurality of objects include a counter weight couplable to the horizontal support at multiple points along the horizontal support.
 4. The game of claim 2, wherein the horizontal support includes a series of apertures adapted to receive a post extending from the counter weight.
 5. The game of claim 1, wherein the multiple objects include primary weights and secondary weights, the primary weights being heavier than two or more of the secondary weights in combination.
 6. The game of claim 1, wherein the receiving members are removably coupled to the horizontal support by magnetic interaction.
 7. The game of claim 1, wherein the receiving members are integrally formed with the horizontal support.
 8. The game of claim 1, wherein at least one of the receiving members takes the form of a bucket.
 9. The game of claim 1, wherein at least one of the receiving members takes the form of a hook.
 10. The game of claim 1, wherein the appearance of the manipulation game reflects a nautical theme.
 11. A manipulation game comprising: a base having a substantially vertical support adapted to receive game assemblies; a first game assembly having a substantially horizontal support adapted to removably and pivotally couple to the vertical support, wherein the first game assembly includes receiving members; and a second game assembly adapted to removably couple to the vertical support, wherein the second game assembly includes a manipulation device.
 12. The game of claim 11, wherein the manipulation device is adapted to move a plurality of objects.
 13. The game of claim 12, wherein the manipulation device includes control cables.
 14. The game of claim 11, further comprising a set of cards having manipulation indicia configured to provide instructions regarding the game assemblies.
 15. The game of claim 11, wherein the first and second game assemblies are configured to be interchangeably coupled to the vertical support.
 16. The game of claim 11, wherein the first and second game assemblies are configured to simultaneously couple to the vertical support.
 17. A method of playing a game comprising: providing a scale assembly having receiving members, multiple cards having manipulation indicia, and a plurality of objects adapted to couple with the receiving members; drawing one of the multiple cards; and manipulating at least one of the plurality of objects relative to the receiving members as indicated by the manipulation indicia.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of objects include at least one counter weight, the method further comprising moving the counter weight relative to the scale assembly.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of objects include primary weights and secondary weights, the method further comprising applying the secondary weights to the scale assembly to balance one or more primary weights.
 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising declaring a winner based on the relative positions of the receiving members. 